Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice Sequel Bundle: 3 Reader Favorites (148 page)

Wednesday 4th March

Mr and Mrs Collins arrived this morning, and are to stay for a week. They thought it best to leave Kent as Lady Catherine is in a rage. She has just learnt that Anne is to marry Colonel Fitzwilliam.

‘Her ladyship was not unhappy with the idea at first, although she graciously confided in me that she would rather have had a man of fortune as a son-in-law. But the estimable Colonel has an old and revered name, and she magnanimously thought it fitting that he should ally himself with her own, most esteemed, branch of the family. She was condescending enough to give her consent, and to say that Anne would make the most elegant bride of the year. I was able to please her ladyship by saying that Miss de Bourgh would grace any church in which she should choose to wed.’

‘But her ladyship changed her mind when Anne made it clear she intended to live at Rosings, and that she intended her mother to move to the dower house,’ put in Charlotte.

‘Lady Catherine most amiably declared it to be impossible. She honoured me with the most obliging confidence, saying that she would not move out of her home to suit the convenience of a thoughtless chit, and she went on to graciously inform me that Anne was a headstrong girl who had no proper gratitude.’

‘Anne pointed out that, if she were a man, her mother would have had to leave the house on her marriage, to which her ladyship replied that Anne was not a man, and
that therefore she would remain. I expected Anne to give way,’ said Charlotte, ‘but she did nothing of the kind. Love has made her strong.’

‘The atmosphere has unfortunately not been of the most harmonious. Of all things, I dislike an air of dissension. It offends a man of my calling in a way I can scarcely describe. I tried to offer an olive branch, saying that the dower house was a very fine building, with elegant apartments and sumptuous gardens, but Lady Catherine turned on me such a look of disapprobation that my courage faltered, and I was compelled to add: “But not as fine as Rosings.” I think that pleased her ladyship.’

‘But not her daughter,’ I said.

Mr Collins’s face fell.

‘No. I fear it is impossible to remain on good terms with both of them, and so we felt it better to come away.’

‘And there was another reason for our visit. I wanted you to see Elinor,’ said Charlotte.

The nurse brought Elinor forward. I have never seen any attraction in babies, but Elizabeth was delighted with the little girl, and took her from the nurse. As she cradled the infant in her arms, she looked at me in a way that made my heart stand still, and suddenly babies became the most interesting thing in the world to me.

I thought last year was the happiest of my life, but I think this one is going to be even better.

About the Author

Amanda Grange is a bestselling author of historical fiction in the U.K. She specializes in creative interpretations of classic novels and historic events, including Jane Austen’s novels and the
Titanic
shipwreck. Her novels include
Lord Deverill’s Secret, Mr. Knightley’s Diary
and
Titanic Affair
. She lives in England.

Copyright © 2009 by Sharon Lathan

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Cover photo © Bridgeman Art Library

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lathan, Sharon.

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two shall become one: Pride and prejudice continues / Sharon Lathan.

p. cm.

1. Darcy, Fitzwilliam (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 2. Bennet, Elizabeth (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 3. England—Social life and customs—19th century—Fiction. 4. Domestic fiction. I. Austen, Jane, 1775-1817. Pride and prejudice. II. Title.

PS3612.A869T86 2009

813'.6—dc22

2008037085

Printed and bound in the United States of America
VP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

O
VER
T
HANKSGIVING WEEKEND OF
2005, I entered a movie theater with my best girlfriend and teenage daughter to watch
Pride & Prejudice
starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. My only expectation was to enjoy a sappy chick flick with two of my dearest women friends. I had never read the classic novel by Jane Austen, nor had I seen any of the previous adaptations.

To my stunned amazement, I walked out of that theater sporting a heart swelling with romantic sentiment and warm fuzzy feelings running amok, and I was soon to embark on a pathway that would change my life. Within two months, I had joined the ranks of fan fiction writers from all over the world who have adored this timeless tale of true love. I have since read the novel and seen a few of the previous adaptations, but my heart remains enamored with the recent movie and the incredible actors and actresses who brought these delightful characters to life.

My personal quest was to delve realistically into the Regency/Late Georgian Era of England in the early 1800s while exploring the future of the Darcys. It began as a lark, but in true Mr. Darcy fashion, I was well into the middle of it before I recognized what I had begun. Quite before I turned around, I had my own website and was reaching the one-year anniversary of their wedding with fifty-plus chapters under my belt. Yes, it is an obsession!

What I have strived to recount is a marriage in its purest embodiment: a union based on commitment, equality, passion, friendship, honesty, and love. I wanted to answer the timeless questions regarding happily-ever-after and how two individual people meld into one soul. Along the way there are humor, drama, friends, family, and life events to experience with the lovers.

The Darcy Saga, in its entirety, is about how two people who are bonded and committed to each other move through life. That is the plot, the theme, and the essence of the story. They are not the same people once they have each other.

This first novel deals with the initial days into weeks, ending with five months of wedded bliss as the family prepares for the Season in London. I do not rush, as I want the reader to share in the joy of new love as it blooms and alters and strengthens William and Elizabeth. Subsequent novels will travel further along the timeline of life.

Welcome to Pemberley, and thank you for taking this journey with me.

Sincerely,

Sharon Lathan

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy:
Master of Pemberley in Derbyshire; 29 years of age, born November 10, 1787; parents James and Lady Anne Darcy, both deceased; married Elizabeth Bennet on November 28, 1816

Elizabeth Darcy
: Mistress of Pemberley; 21 years of age, born May 28, 1795; second Bennet daughter
Miss Georgiana Darcy
: 17 years of age; sister of Mr. Darcy with guardianship shared by her brother and cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam; companion is Mrs. Annesley

Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
: 31 years of age; cousin and dear friend to Mr. Darcy; second son of Lord and Lady Matlock; stationed with a regiment in London

Lord Matlock
, the Earl of Matlock: Darcy’s Uncle Malcolm, brother to Lady Anne Darcy; ancestral estate is Rivallain in Matlock, Derbyshire

Lady Matlock
, the Countess of Matlock: Darcy’s Aunt Madeline; wife to Lord Matlock, mother of Jonathan, Annabella, and Richard

Mr. Jonathan Fitzwilliam
: Heir to the Matlock earldom, eldest Fitzwilliam son; wife is
Priscilla

Mr. Charles Bingley
: 25 years of age; longtime friend of Mr. Darcy;
resides at Netherfield Hall in Hertfordshire; married Jane Bennet on November 28, 1816

Jane Bingley
: elder sister of Elizabeth and oldest Bennet daughter; wife of Mr. Bingley

Miss Caroline Bingley
: sister of Charles Bingley

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet
: Elizabeth’s parents; reside at Longbourn in Hertfordshire with two middle daughters,
Mary
and
Kitty

Edward and Violet Gardiner
: uncle and aunt of Elizabeth; reside in Cheapside, London

Stephen Lathrop
: Cambridge friend of Mr. Darcy; resides at Stonecrest Hall in Leicestershire; wife is
Amelia

Henry Vernor
: family friend of the Darcys; residence is Sanburl Hall near Lambton, Derbyshire; wife is
Mary
, daughter is
Bertha

Gerald Vernor
: son of Henry Vernor; childhood friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is
Harriet
; resides at Sanburl Hall

Albert Hughes
: childhood friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is
Marilyn